My Year of Meats

Upon finishing the book My Year of Meats I was excited for Akiko and her new life without her horrible husband and I was also excited for Jane who was finally able to tell the world about DES and how harmful it is. Even though there were some exciting things happening in the end of the book I still felt as though the book did not end with a "finished" feeling.

The end of the book did not feel finished as though the author was expecting to write a sequal. I personally like books that have and ending that gives you a little taste of what the characters lives are like, but it doesn't give you the details. For instance, I want to know what happens with Jane and Sloan, I know they mention something about Jane and Sloan adopting a child, but does that mean that they will stay together, maybe get married and live together even though Sloan is always on the road touring with his band? I also want to know what happenend to John, I know he ended up not being successful because of Jane's documentary, but what does he end up doin? I would also like to know how John reacted to the letter that Akiko sent him and whether or not he will get a clue and start treating women better or if he doesn't learn from his mistakes and continues treating women badly.

Overall I though this was a really good book and I really liked how I was able to kind of get into the personal thouhgts of the characters like Jane who feels as though she has to be strong around everyone, but she lets herself feel more emotional when she is by herself and nobody can see her feelings. As for the ending, I am sure the author had a purpose in ending the book the way she did, but I would have preferred an ending that pretty much spells everything out for you with no questions about where the characters end up and what happens to them.

Alternate Ending to Happinnes

Edwin had just managed to shovel his way through the first stack of manuscripts when his pager went off. It was that call he had been waiting for, it was May, she wanting to meet for coffee and to catch up. Edwin eagerly left the office where he entered the smog filled air and took a deep breath enjoying the feeling of life how it is supposed to be, unhappy and miserable.

Edwin and May met at a coffee shop where they embraced in a hug and Edwin was mesmerized by the bright red crayola of May's lips which he had missed very much. Edwin and May sat down at a table with their coffee where they began talking about everything they had been through in the past couple of months. May learned of Edwin's adventures and Edwin learned of May's experiences in a world of Happiness.

After spending several hours in the coffee shop Edwin and May returned to her apartment where she and Edwin spent the evening in each others arms planning the rest of their lives together. Finally May had Edwin all to herself and she didn't have to worry about competing with Jenni anymore. Edwin was all hers and they would be happy together forever.